Main Relationship Identified in the sample
For example: Older Brother > Younger Brother
Examples from sample:
In the story, The Contract, the main relationship is that of Ruler and subject.
Cheng Zhi represents the ruler. The men in his squad represent the subjects.
Other relationship identified in the sample
For example: see above
Examples from sample:
Older brother > Younger brother - Gu Gong sees his age as being something that gives him power over the younger soldiers and so takes advantage of that by having them serve him.
Father>Son - Gu Gong identifies that Cheng Zhi is an orphan, but he has parents and so refuses the death match.
Comparison between identified sample and Confucian ideals for relationships
Similarities:
Confucius said, "Lead the people with governmental measures and regulate them with laws and punishment, and they will avoid wrongdoing but will have no sense of honor and shame. Lead them with virtue and regulate them by the rules of propriety, and they will have a sense of shame and, moreover, set themselves right." (2:3) Cheng Zhi attempts to lead his subordinates by example. In the end he reaches his subordinates by shaming Gu Gong into submitting to NOT fighting. Cheng Zhi demonstrates his willingness to put his reputation and life on the line to support his worth as a leader.
Differences:
Chi K'ang Tzu asked Confucius about government, saying, "What do you think of killing the wicked and associating with the good?" Confucius replied, "In your government what is the need of killing? If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows, the grass always bends." (12:19) - Cheng Zhi really is not able to attain this because his subordinates do not following him the same way the grass follows the wind.
Chart for The Contract
For example: Older Brother > Younger Brother
In the story, The Contract, the main relationship is that of Ruler and subject.
Cheng Zhi represents the ruler. The men in his squad represent the subjects.
For example: see above
Older brother > Younger brother - Gu Gong sees his age as being something that gives him power over the younger soldiers and so takes advantage of that by having them serve him.
Father>Son - Gu Gong identifies that Cheng Zhi is an orphan, but he has parents and so refuses the death match.
Confucius said, "Lead the people with governmental measures and regulate them with laws and punishment, and they will avoid wrongdoing but will have no sense of honor and shame. Lead them with virtue and regulate them by the rules of propriety, and they will have a sense of shame and, moreover, set themselves right." (2:3) Cheng Zhi attempts to lead his subordinates by example. In the end he reaches his subordinates by shaming Gu Gong into submitting to NOT fighting. Cheng Zhi demonstrates his willingness to put his reputation and life on the line to support his worth as a leader.
Differences:
Chi K'ang Tzu asked Confucius about government, saying, "What do you think of killing the wicked and associating with the good?" Confucius replied, "In your government what is the need of killing? If you desire what is good, the people will be good. The character of a ruler is like wind and that of the people is like grass. In whatever direction the wind blows, the grass always bends." (12:19) - Cheng Zhi really is not able to attain this because his subordinates do not following him the same way the grass follows the wind.